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Chatham Public Safety

Your safety as a member of the Chatham community is one of the University’s primary concerns. We are proud of our safety record, however no campus is totally crime free. Please keep in mind that maintaining a safe and secure campus for everyone is a joint effort between our department and the community. Do not only look out for yourself, but look out for others around you. Please use common sense and good judgment when you make your way around campus. Be watchful and alert; do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Community members are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the campus police in a timely manner.

The Chatham University Public Safety Department is in charge of all aspects of campus safety and security. The department consists of a director and ten full-time officers. A public safety officer is on-call 24 hours a day. The department falls under the supervision of the Senior Vice–President of Finance and Administration.

Police officers in the Public Safety Department are certified under Pennsylvania Legislative Act 120: Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Act and/or Legislative Act 235: The Lethal Weapons Training Act, and are armed. The officers are sworn in by Allegheny County and have arrest powers as granted by Pennsylvania Legislative Act 501: The Private Police Act. Their jurisdiction includes all Chatham University property and all roads running through and adjacent to the campus. All officers must attend mandatory in-service training sessions, which address a range of topics relating to police work and are updated on a regular basis. The officers are required to be trained in the use of firearms and must qualify annually. Several officers are certified crime-prevention officers through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

The Public Safety Department cooperates fully with local and state law enforcement agencies in cases that involve both on and off campus jurisdictions or when resources of another agency can better facilitate the resolution of an investigation. Crimes occurring on campus are reported to the City of Pittsburgh Police Department when appropriate and when required by law. The Pittsburgh Police also service the campus community and can be contacted directly through the regular emergency numbers. The Public Safety Department maintains an excellent relationship with the Pittsburgh Police and can communicate with the local police by direct radio link. In addition, the Pittsburgh Police Department assists with criminal investigations and crime prevention awareness programs offered to all community members.

The Chatham University Public Safety Department prepares these web pages, including the Crime Statistics Report, to comply with the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This information is prepared in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies surrounding the campus and the Chatham University Public Safety Department. Campus crime statistics, arrests, and referral statistics include those reported to the Chatham University Public Safety Department, designated campus officials, and local law enforcement agencies. Each year, an email notification is made to all community members that provides web site access to the Public Safety Department web site and Crime Statistics Report. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Report by contacting the Director of Human Resources or the Director of Public Safety and the web site address is attached to all Chatham University employment applications.